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Topics: Israel, Shark, World News, Animals
Emily Brown
Warning: This article contains graphic commentary of a shark attack which some readers may find distressing.
A scientist has offered insight as to why sharks were swimming in the area off the Mediterranean coast where a man was attacked by one of the creatures.
Israeli police confirmed the discovery of a body today (April 22) after the attack was filmed taking place on Monday.
Footage from the beach in Hadera showed a shark swimming in close proximity to members of the public, who were cooling off in the water as temperatures reached 80°F (27°C). However, in one video one swimmer's distressing calls for help could be heard as they were targeted by a shark.
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Sharing the discovery of the body, a spokesperson for the Israeli police said: "Several findings have been sent for testing, and we await the results."
The man's belongings were found on the beach as the search went on.
The victim of the attack is understood to have been swimming near to the Orot Rabin power station when the incident took place; an area in which the water is slightly warmer due to the nearby plant.
In the wake of the incident, Professor Dov Zviely, from the Ruppin Academic Center’s School of Marine Sciences, has explained why there were sharks swimming so close to land when the attack took place.
According to The Mirror, Zviely said: "The warm water creates a current as strong as the Jordan River. The sharks come because of the heat but also because many fish wash down from the Alexander Stream, providing a steady food source."
Most sharks spotted in the area around Hadera are dusky sharks; creatures which typically measure around nine feet long and which undertake long migrations in order to stay in warm waters throughout the winter.
The sharks are not normally aggressive to humans, but marine biologist Dr Adi Barash said the activity caused by swimmers in Hadera could have aggravated the sharks.
"Heavy human presence stresses the sharks," Dr Barash said. "People must avoid touching or feeding them — they are not pets. This is peak feeding season for the sharks, due to increased fish mortality from warming waters and recent holiday rains.
"Authorities must take steps to prevent harmful interactions and ensure the safety of these protected animals."
In the footage of the man being attacked, a member of the public can be heard calling authorities, saying: "There’s someone here that a shark has bitten. He’s screaming, ‘Help!’ He’s in the sea at Hadera. He’s drowning.
"He’s in the sea. Nobody’s coming to save him."